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Application of Variationist Sociolinguistic Method in SLA: A Research Overview of China and Abroad

Received: 5 November 2023    Accepted: 22 December 2023    Published: 18 January 2024
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Abstract

Combining insights from variationist sociolinguistics and SLA, the present paper is situated within the SLA research which applies variationist sociolinguistic method. The quantitative research method in sociolinguistic variation theory provides a new perspective for the research of SLA. This paper expounds and analyzes the SLA research in the light of variation theory, particularly focusing on the variation research of interlanguage both in China and abroad, and further presents the application of variationist sociolinguistic method in interlanguage research. The combination of variation theory and SLA research is crucial to deepen the development of SLA research, specifically, in L2 learning and teaching to provide suggestions to L2 learners and teachers. In so doing, L2 learners do not use or underuse the appropriate form in context, such that there is a form-function mismatch in their interlanguage. Specifically, first, although the quantitative research methods in sociolinguistic variation theory provide a new perspective for second language acquisition research, it should not been regarded as the only effective way to study interlanguage variation. To accurately analyze the interlanguage of learners, sometimes other methods such as oral reports and participant ethnography are also needed. The combination of qualitative and quantitative methods can help obtain more reliable research results. Secondly, the phenomenon of variation should not only remain at the level of pronunciation, vocabulary, syntax, etc., and the writing system can also be studied as a phenomenon of variation. In the process of acquiring the target language, it is also worth exploring whether learners will imitate the writing habits of native speakers, or whether learners will be influenced by their own mother tongue to create new forms of writing. Finally, although the research findings on interlanguage variation have implications for classroom teaching, when applied to second language acquisition classrooms, teachers need to carefully consider their classroom applicability.

Published in International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 12, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijll.20241201.12
Page(s) 7-15
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Variationist Sociolinguistic Method, SLA, Interlanguage, Sociolinguistic Variation Theory

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    Yu, M. (2024). Application of Variationist Sociolinguistic Method in SLA: A Research Overview of China and Abroad. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 12(1), 7-15. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20241201.12

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    Yu, M. Application of Variationist Sociolinguistic Method in SLA: A Research Overview of China and Abroad. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2024, 12(1), 7-15. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20241201.12

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    Yu M. Application of Variationist Sociolinguistic Method in SLA: A Research Overview of China and Abroad. Int J Lang Linguist. 2024;12(1):7-15. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20241201.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijll.20241201.12,
      author = {Meng Yu},
      title = {Application of Variationist Sociolinguistic Method in SLA: A Research Overview of China and Abroad},
      journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
      volume = {12},
      number = {1},
      pages = {7-15},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20241201.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20241201.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20241201.12},
      abstract = {Combining insights from variationist sociolinguistics and SLA, the present paper is situated within the SLA research which applies variationist sociolinguistic method. The quantitative research method in sociolinguistic variation theory provides a new perspective for the research of SLA. This paper expounds and analyzes the SLA research in the light of variation theory, particularly focusing on the variation research of interlanguage both in China and abroad, and further presents the application of variationist sociolinguistic method in interlanguage research. The combination of variation theory and SLA research is crucial to deepen the development of SLA research, specifically, in L2 learning and teaching to provide suggestions to L2 learners and teachers. In so doing, L2 learners do not use or underuse the appropriate form in context, such that there is a form-function mismatch in their interlanguage. Specifically, first, although the quantitative research methods in sociolinguistic variation theory provide a new perspective for second language acquisition research, it should not been regarded as the only effective way to study interlanguage variation. To accurately analyze the interlanguage of learners, sometimes other methods such as oral reports and participant ethnography are also needed. The combination of qualitative and quantitative methods can help obtain more reliable research results. Secondly, the phenomenon of variation should not only remain at the level of pronunciation, vocabulary, syntax, etc., and the writing system can also be studied as a phenomenon of variation. In the process of acquiring the target language, it is also worth exploring whether learners will imitate the writing habits of native speakers, or whether learners will be influenced by their own mother tongue to create new forms of writing. Finally, although the research findings on interlanguage variation have implications for classroom teaching, when applied to second language acquisition classrooms, teachers need to carefully consider their classroom applicability.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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    AB  - Combining insights from variationist sociolinguistics and SLA, the present paper is situated within the SLA research which applies variationist sociolinguistic method. The quantitative research method in sociolinguistic variation theory provides a new perspective for the research of SLA. This paper expounds and analyzes the SLA research in the light of variation theory, particularly focusing on the variation research of interlanguage both in China and abroad, and further presents the application of variationist sociolinguistic method in interlanguage research. The combination of variation theory and SLA research is crucial to deepen the development of SLA research, specifically, in L2 learning and teaching to provide suggestions to L2 learners and teachers. In so doing, L2 learners do not use or underuse the appropriate form in context, such that there is a form-function mismatch in their interlanguage. Specifically, first, although the quantitative research methods in sociolinguistic variation theory provide a new perspective for second language acquisition research, it should not been regarded as the only effective way to study interlanguage variation. To accurately analyze the interlanguage of learners, sometimes other methods such as oral reports and participant ethnography are also needed. The combination of qualitative and quantitative methods can help obtain more reliable research results. Secondly, the phenomenon of variation should not only remain at the level of pronunciation, vocabulary, syntax, etc., and the writing system can also be studied as a phenomenon of variation. In the process of acquiring the target language, it is also worth exploring whether learners will imitate the writing habits of native speakers, or whether learners will be influenced by their own mother tongue to create new forms of writing. Finally, although the research findings on interlanguage variation have implications for classroom teaching, when applied to second language acquisition classrooms, teachers need to carefully consider their classroom applicability.
    
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Author Information
  • Linguistics Research Institute, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai, China; School of Languages, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai, China

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